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MACHINE GUN.

No; 3211.513 PatenteaJuly 7, 1885 heets--Shet 3.

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UNITED .STATES PATENT OFFICEo HIRAM STEVENS MAXIM, OF ENGLAND, ASSIGNOR TO l LlrER-'I `TICKER-S ANI) ROBERT RfS-YMONBOTH OF SAME PLACE.y

MACHINE-GUN.

SPECIFICATION forming part-of Letters Patent No. 321,513, dated July 7, 1885.

Application filed May 2, IFF-i. (No VmodclJ Patented in England February 23, 1884, No. 3,9114; in France Tune 13, 1884, No. itl-2,735,

and in Belgium September 16, 1R84. 66,39 l.

o all whom, it may concern:

I have applied for provisional protection in Great Britain on the 28d day of February,

1884, No. .-,844,)-of which the following is a Vforceof the explosion of the cartridges.

specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings.

My invention relates to machine or battery guns; and its main object is to produce a gun which shall be entirely automatic in its action, and continue, when once setinto operation, to discharge at predetermined intervals so, long as it has a supply of cartridges.

' In carrying out my invention I employ certain novel mechanisms, the nature. of which will be more fully hereinafter set forth, and these I combine in new and cooperative relations, whereby eachV is caused to perform its allotted functions in proper order and with perfect precision. The automatic operation of the gun is dependent upon the'recoil'or In availing myself of -this force as the motive power for operating or 'setting-in action the parts that effect the necessary operations of loading and reloading, I make luse of a barrel that is capable of a certain movement with reference to its stationary frame or support,

which movementis produced by the recoil follo`wing the explosion of acartridge. With this I combine a device for feeding or supplying loaded cartridges, and mechanism for placing the cartridges in the barrehcxplodingthe same, and extracting and ejecting the empty shells, the said mechanism being constructed and arranged to be operated-or set intooper-` ation by the force of the recoil. In this system are involved certain "essential and novel features. Among these'is the-employment of a crank or bell-crank lever, the pin of which is 'connected by a rod to the breech-block, the crank-shaft carrying a ily-wheel or equivalent device, to which momentum 'is imparted at each discharge by the recoil of the breech` block and parts connected therewith, so that after the crank has passed its dead-center theA parts constituting and connected with the momentum of the said iy-wheel or other det vice will be utilized for closing the breech and firing the gun. This arrangement is productive of the lnost useful results, as will be seen upon consideration of the nature of the operation ofthe gun. If the explosion and backward movementof the cartridge be utilized for developing the energy that is subsequently to effect the extraction and ejection of the exploded shell and the insertion of a loaded cartridge, in the manner herein described, it is'iinportant that the shell 'is not with'drawn from the barrel too quickly. It is necessary, therefore, to so arrange the moving breech lock. that some portion of it must moveat a greater speed than the shell itself. The reasons for this are, first, that the shell must not be withdrawn too soon, forif it travels too far back before the pressure subsides in the barrel it will burst; second, the breecht block, if made heavy enough to prevent this,

would he too heavy and large for practical purposes; and, third, the requisite momentumfor effecting the operations of reloading subsequent to the ejection of the exploded shell would not be easily obtained, unless the cartridge moved back too quickly. The desired l Objectis attained, however, by'so constructing the breech-bolt and appurtenances that one part will move faster than the rest. For' this reason I connect the breech-block to the crank of a ily-wheel or its equivalent, obtaining thereby, in a manner well understood, a movement of the rim or weights twenty or more times as great as that of the cartridge. By this means energy is stored that is amply sufficient for performing the necessary operations that follow the recoil and precede the next discharge.

In addition to/the features of novelty above .alluded to, my invention also involves many novel details and combinati ons,which may be best explained by reference to the accompanying drawings, in which I have shown the most practicable manner of-which I am aware in which the invention isor may be carried into effect. .i A Figure l is a central longitudinal section of my improved gun, showing the parts in the Ioo breech-block and parts connectedtherewith.

Fig.'4 is a section on the line x x', Fig. 3,with some of the parts removed. Fig. 5 is a section on the line mi x`, Fig. -1, looking toward the muzzle of the gun, with some ofthe parts removed. Fig. 6 is a section on the line baixa,

Fig. 1, looking toward tlierear of the gun,

the muzzle of the gun. 'the line :17" x5, Fig. 1, looking in the same diwith some of the parts removed. Fig. 7 is a section on the line x* x4, Fig. 1, looking toward Fig. 8 is a section on rection, with some of the parts removed. Fig. 9 is a side Velevation showing part of the breech-block and means for disengaging the extractor from the cartridge-cases. Fig.`10 is a plan of part of one of the feed-wheels, here.- inafter described. Figs. 5 tolO are drawn to an enlarged scale. Fig. 11 is a plan,drawn to a still further enlarged scale, showing part of a belt orA band which I employ in my improved gun forsnpplying cartridges ther( to. Fig. l2 is a plan view ofthe mechanism for accelerating the movement of the barrel.

`shaft in one direction or the other.v

` A is a strong Inet-al frame,which is provided with a lid or cover A', and which ma be mounted on any suitable stand or carriage. B is the barrel, and C the breech-block. Dis a. crank-shaft, `which is carried in bearings D at the rear part of the frame A.l

E is a connecting-rod, one end of which is coupled to the crank-pin D2, and the other end of which is coupled to the breech-block C. This connecting-rod is made of such length that when the breech is closed the crank will be either slightly above or below its forward dead-center, so that the recoil of the breechblock will cause the rotation of the crank- In Figs. 1 and 2 it is shown below the said center, its position above the said center being indicated by a dot-ted circle,

- D3 is a weighted lever, serving the purpose of a ily-wheel. The breech-block C is carried by two crossheads, C C2, arranged to slide between suitable gnides, F, projecting from the sides of the frame A. The extractor G and the Isear H are mounted on the. breech-.block C, and are acted upon by the double spring G', which is also fixed to the breech-block. The firingpin I passes through the said breech-block, and is acted upon by a spring, 1*, which tends to push it forward. The cock or hammer J is pivoted to a bracket or arm, K, extending downward from theA breech-block O, and is made with a circular part, J', which enters a slot, I', in the firing-pin I. The said hammer has, moreover, a curved extension, J2, which, when the breech-block recoils, is acted upon by a pin or rod, L, xed in the frame A, so that the said hammer is-cocked. At t-he termination of the forward movement of the breechblock the extension J2- is'acted upon by a .i

spring, M, also fixed to the said frame. The sear H is a bent lever pivoted to the breechblock and arranged to be acted upon by the Y cam N, fixed on the shaft O, which is capable `of adjustment by a trigger-arm, I), to disengage the said scar from the hammer J and discharge the gun. The barrel B is arranged in guides A2, xed to or forming part of the frame A, and is capable of a slight to-and-fro movement therein. In combination with the said barrel, I provide two toggle-arms, B', acted upon by the springs Bl in such a manner that the said springs tend to force the barrel into either of its extreme positions. These springs are fixed to the sides of vthe frame A.Y A hooked lever, B3, is pivoted to the breech end of the barrel, and the rear end or hook of the said lever is adapted to engage with a shoulder or projection, C, on the breech-block, to lock the latter or secure it to the barrel when the breech is closed and until thebarrel has partially participated in therecoil. The rear guide, A, for the barrel B is fitted with a piece, A, of steel or other suitable material, Which forms a shoulder. This shoulder fits into a recess in the front arm of the hooked lever B, as shown in dotted lines in Fig. -1, and holds the same in thelocked position until the barrel has moved backward a certain distance. The front arm of the said hooked lever is slotted or bifurcated-at its extremity, so that when the barrel has recoiled to the desired extent the said arm can be depressed to IOO bifureated end passing down at the sides of Athe shoulder Ai. The unlocking of the breechblock is automatici-illy effected at the proper time by means of an adjustable arm, A", fixed in the frame A above the guide A2.' In the rearward movement ofthe barrel the inclined face B4 of the hooked lever B comes in contact with the arm A, 'and the said hooked lever is thus disengaged from the projection Ga on the breech-block.

In order that the remainder of the rearward movement of the barrel after the breech-block is unlocked may .serve to impart additional momentum to the breech-block in vits recoil, and in order that the forward movement ofthe barrel may commence before\ the-breech is closed, and thus prevent too sudden impact of the breech-block against the barrel, I provide i the followingdeviees, viz: A lever, B5, is pivoted to the barrel B near its Mrear end. One arm of this lever is arranged to come in contact with-a shoulder or pro'ection, A, on the frame A during the rearward lnovement of the barrel at the moment when the breechblock is unlocked. The other arm of the said lever is then forced by the barrel during the remainder of its rearward movement against one end of the rod B, which is capable of sliding to and fro in the guides A2 and F. The other end of the rod B6 bears against t-he forward cross-head, C2, of the breech-block C.

It will therefore be readilyl understood that the motion of the barrel B and the action of the springs B upon ,the toggle-arms B tend,

.after the `breech-block is unlocked, to impart additionalmomentum thereto. Moreover, be-

the barrel Blmoves backward the said lever first comes in cori-tact with the projection A5 and `rod B at the points l, as shown in the diagram., Fig. 12, and then successively at the points 2 3 4 5, so that the leverage is gradually decreased as the barrel continues its rearward movement. A lever, G, ispivoted tothe underside of the barrel B at its rear end, and

` one arm of the said lever is arranged to form part ofthe seating for the flange of a cartridge when inserted in the barrel.

-ot the lever G2 extends downward, so that lduring the recoil of the barrel the said lever The other arm will come in contact with a pin or rod, G5,

' fixed inthe frame A, and will thus be turned on its pivot so as to start the cartridge-case from the barrel.

In order to avoid any undue strain upon the.`

extractor, I provide the same with a slpt, Gt, through which passes a pin or bolt, G4, fixed in the breech-block C, so that when the said breech-block moves away from the barrel the pin or bolt C* will travel freely in the said slot,

and the extractor G will not be moved with` t-he breech-block until the lever G2 has started the cartridge from the barrel.

The extractor G is provided with two inclined projections, G5, which, when the breech-block has r'ecoiled nearly to its rearmost position, ride up a pro-l ;-1 jection orprojections, A5, on the frameA, as

shown in Fig. 9, and thereby disengage the hook of the extractor G from `the cartridge case.

In order to arrestv the rearward movement cf the cartridge-case as soonas it is iu its slots inthe breech-block, as shown in Fig. 8.

proper position inthe groove of the feed-wheel, ,hereinafter described, VI provide two fingers, A7, which are fixed to the1 frame A and tit into l These `fingers are so arrangedthat as the cartridge-case is `moved backward with the breechyblock'its movement will Abe arrested by the said fingers after the extractor has been dis-` engaged from its flange. Q Qare two feed-wheels, which areso arranged that a cartridge drawn from the upper most groove of the wheel .Q willenterthe low- -ermost groove of the wheel Q. These wheels 'are carried by the shafts Q2 Q5, and are provided lwith the toothed wheels Q4 Q5, which'` are geared with eachother by means of the intermediate wheel, Q5, carried bya stud Q7,

xed in the frame Ag 'A hooked rod, K, is

pivotedtto the lower end of thebracket K,

'and when the breech is closed engages with the flange of the cartridge in the uppermost groove ofthe wheel Q, as shown in Fig. 1. During the recoil of the breech-block `and its adjuncts this hooked rod transfers the said cartridge from the wheel Q' to the wheel Q. The said rod K is supported by a spring, K?, and is arranged to be acted upon by a fixed arm, K3., having an inclined face -which comes in contact with a correspondingly-inclined face on `the said rod and depresses the same, and `thus disengages it from the cartridge at the `proper time.

through an aperture in the casing Q9 of the feedxwheel Q', so as to hold thecartridge firmly in the groove of the said feed-wheel.

The following means are provided for intermittently rotating the feed-wheels Q Q'-that is to say, a projection, C5, having two inclined faces, Cs Ci, as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 10, is formed or tiXed ou the under side of the breech-block G. The feed-wheel Q is provided with two series of teeth, Q1, having correspondingly-inclined faces. When the breechblock'recoils, the rear end of the projection C5 acts upon one of the teeth of the rear series, and causes the feed-wheel Q to turn one-third of t-he distance requisite to bring afresh cartridge in line with the barrel.

the breechLblock the projection C5 acts upon one of' the teeth of the forward series, and turns the said feed-wheel the remainder of such distance. The intermittent rotation of the feed-wheel Q in a similar manner is ef fected by means of the gear-wheels Q4 Q5 Q,

for preventing the feed-Wheels Q Q from turn, ing backward when not acted upon by the projection C55-that is to say, -I fix a spring-patri, Q, to the frame A in such 'a manner that it will engage with the toothed wheel Q5; but I may provide other suitable means for effecting this object.

minute to be regulated, I tit upon -the barrel B a piston, P*, in which the barrel is capable ot' moving to` and fro to a slight extent, a colder, P', whichv is open at one end and closed at the other end, and the said piston is' proor more apertures, Pzi, through which air whenthe piston is moving backward. The said cylinder is .formed with a series of perforations or apertures around its circumferor the amount of ,their opening regulated by means of a ring or annular piece, P2, having apertures'corresponding with those in the cylinder. This annular piece is fitted accurately upon the cylinder, and is arranged to be parmeans of' a bent lever, P5, pivoted to the said I also providemeans, as shown in Fig. 7,`

To permit the number ofshots fired per lar, B7, beingfixed upon the said barrel within the said piston.v This pistou fits into a cylinvided with an aperture, I"*, and with one ence. These'apertures can be opened or closed' tiall'y rotated thereon in eitherdirection byV 8o Q8 is a spring, one end of which projects In the first part of the forward movement of IOO IIO

rzo

can pass to the-closed end of the cylinder I l LIo cylinder. One arm of this lever is suitably the aforesaid apertures in the cylinder can be either closed or opened, or they extent of their opening can be regulated. In some cases I combine with the said trigger-arm a graduated plate or quadrant, P"marked with the different speeds of firing, and Itlien extend the trigger-arm upward in the form of a poi nter, P, as shown in dotted lines in Fig. l. When the barrel B moves backward, the collar B leaves the aperture P* open, and coming against the rear end of the piston P, moves the said piston backward, thereby drawing air into the cylinder through the apertures P2* as well as through the .apertures in its circumference; but when thebarrel moves forward, the colla-r B7 closes the aperture P*, and air can only escape from the cylinder by the apertures in its circumference. It will therefore be understood that the barrel can move freely backward; but its forward movement will be controlled by the extent of opening of the said apertures. The shaft O, carrying the said trigger-arm, is sometimes provided with another arm, O', having a pin' or stud, O2, projecting downward from its extremit y, so that it will enter a recess in the rear cross-head, C', of the breech block C, and thereby lock the same firmly in vposition and prevent the discharge of the gun before the trigger arm P is pulled. rlhis lockingarm is moreover provided withy a projection, y O3, which, when the arm O is down, lies in front of the hammer land prevents it from actuating the firing-pin I.

In order to prevent the cartridges from being thrown upward out of the feedwheel Q when the latter is partially rotated, I provide a plate or fiat bar, R, fixed to a bolt or stud, R', carried by one of the guides F, and a lug, F', fixed to the frame A. A spring, R", snrrounds this bolt or stud, and tends to hold the plate or bar R over the uppermost groove in the feed-wheel Q'. The said spring, however, will yield to` permit the plate or bar to be thrust aside bythe breech-block as it moves forward.

I arrange a roller, QW, in combination with the feed-wheel Q, to facilitate the movement of a band or chainof cartridges, S, hereinafter described, as the said band or chain is fed in ward by the said wheel.

The band or belt S, for feeding the cartridges into the gun, is made as shown in Fi'g.ll that is to say, two strips of canvas or other suitable material are united at intervals by two plates or flat pieces, S', of brass or other metal., nearly equal in length to the width of the said canvas strips, and having projections S2. One of these plates is placed on eachside of the double band or belt'. are secured to eachother, with the strips of canvas between them, by means of eyelets or from the barrel.

The said platesv rivets S. XVhena cartridge is inserted in the band or belt between two pairs of plates, S', the shoulder ofthe said cartridge. comes against the projections` S2, and it is thus prevented from being thrust too far into the said band or belt. .The said projections -also act as springs and maintain a uniform the cartridge. `The spaces in ,the band orbelt can therefore beof such sizethat the cartridges can be casil y inserted therein. They also prevent the curling up of the sides of the band or belt. l

I sometimes make the part of the band or belt that fits the thinner parts of the cartridges of greater thickness than the other part thereof, so that when the band or belt` filled with cartridges is lying folded in the box or magazinefthe forward ends of the cartridges will be kept ont of contact with each other.v I do not., however, confine myself to the use of this band or belt. The feed-wheelQ may, if desired, be kept supplied by placing a box of cartridges above it, so that as the wheel rotates, the cartridges will fall into the grooves thereof.

The operation of this gun is as follows-that is to-say: The feed-wheels Q Q are either filled with cartridges or a band or belt of cartridges is placed on the wheel Q, as shown in Fig. 6. Thel breech mechanism is then operated by hand until a cartridge is fedinto'the barrel B.

`On pulling the trigger-arm P the gun will be discharged and the breech-block and parts connected-therewith will recoil and cause the crank D to turn in the direction indicated by the arrow in Fig. l. The barrel moves backward with the breechdolock until the shoulder B55 comes against the collar B. The breechblock is unlocked during this movement by the contact of the inclined face B* with the adjustable arm A,.and additional momentum is imparted thereto by the barrel B, springs B, and lever B5 througli'the rod B, The lever Gr2 then comes against the pin or rod G, and is moved so as to start the empty cartridge-case The continued rearward movement of the breech-block draws back the extractor, and with it the said cartridge-case. The rearward movement of the said case is arrested by the ngers A7, so that itwill be left in the uppermost groove of the feed-whccl Q', the extractor being disengaged from the said case by the inclined proj ect-ions AG. The rearward movement ofthe breech-block also causes IOO the arm K to draw a cartridge from the upv permost groove in the feed-wheel Q into the lowermost groove of the feed-wheel Q', and during the last part of ysuch rearward movement the projection (l5 acts upon the wheel Q' and partially rotates the wheels Q Q', and the hammer J comes against the pin or rod L, and is thereby cocked. The momentum imparted to the crank and the ily-wheel or its equivalent then causes the said crank to pass its deadcenter and move forward the breech-block. During the iirst part 0f the forward. movement of the 'breech-block thc Aprojection C5 acts upon the wheel Q andV again partially rotates the wheels Q Q, so as to bring a fresh cartridge iu line with the barrel, and also a fresh cartridge in the wheel Q inline with the lowermost groove of the wheel Q. The

breech-block then thrusts the said fresh cartridge into the barrel and moves forward the hooked rod K to engage with a fresh cartridge inthe wheel Q. In its forward move- Io-fment the cross-head (l2 of the breech-block strikes the rod B and imparts motion tothe barrel. The breech-block then comes in contact with the breech end of the barrel and is locked bythe hooked lever B". The gun is I5 then either again discharged or remains ready for another discharge, according to the adt justnient of the cam N. lf ths'cam is adjusted so that the sear H will strike the saure, the gun will continue firing until the supply 2o of cartridges is exhausted or until the said cam is otherwise adjusted. The empty eartridge-'cases are'carried around by the feedwheel Q' and fall through the opening A'3 in the frame A.

It is obvious that although I have above described a gun having asingle barrel, my invention may also be applied to guns having two or more barrels. Moreover, I can vary or modify-the construction of my improved gun without departing from the nature of my said invention.

The special construction of cartridge-belt herein shown is not claimed, the same being reserved as subject of another application..

What I claim is- 1. In a machine or battery gnu, the combination,with the barrel,areciprocating-breechblock arranged to slide from and toward the breech, a fly-wheel or equivalent connected 40 to the breech-block for causing the return of the same t-o the breech after a recoil, cartridge-feeding mechanism, cartridge-exploding mechanism,and shell extracting and eject- I4ing mechanism, all connected with the breechblock and operated by the movement of the same, substantially as herein set fort-h.

2. In a machine or battery gun, the combination, witha longitudinally-movable barrel, o'f a reciprocating breech-block arranged to slide from and toward the .breech and in line with the barrel, a fly-wheel or equivalent connected with the breech-block-for causing the return of the same after a recoil, cartridgefeedng mechanism,cartrdgeexplod ing mechanism, and shell extracting andejecting mechanism, all connected with the breech-block'and operated by the-movement of the same, substantially as set fort-h.'

3. In a machine or battery gun of the kind 6o described, the combination, with the barrel, a reciprocating breech-block arranged to slide from and toward 'the breech and in line with the barrel, andra ily-wheel or equivalent connected'with the breech-block 'for causing` the return of the same to the breech after a recoil, a part of the said breech-block being capable of a limited movement relatively to the main portion and adapted to engage with the rim of a shell in the breech, of cartridge-feeding mechanism and cartridge-explodingmechanism connected with and operated by the sliding breech-block, all as set forth.

4. In a machine or battery gun of the kind described, the combination, with a longitudinallymovable barrel, a reciprocating breechblock arranged to slide from and toward the breech, and a fly-wheel or equivalent connected with the breech-block for causing the return of the sanie to the breech after a recoil, a part of the said breech-block being capable so of a limited movement relatively tothe main portion and adapted to engage with the rim of ashell in the breech; of cartridge-feeding mechanism and cartridge-exploding mechanism connected with and operated by the sliding breech-block, all substantially as set forth.

5. In a machine-gun of the kind described, the combination of the barrel and sliding breech-block arranged to move in line with the barrel, a crank and fly-wheel or its equiv- 9o alent connected with the breech-block in such manner that the movement imparted to the fly-wheel` by the recoil of the breech-block causes the return of the same to the breech, and loading and firing mechanism connected with and operated by the sliding breech-block, 4substantially as set forth.

6. In a machine or battery gun of the kind described, the combination, with' the barrel, of a reciprocating breech-block arranged to slide from and toward the breech `and in line with the barrel, cartridge-exploding devices in or on the breech-block, a ily-wheel, and a crank connecting the same with the reciprocating breech-block,wl1ercby the recoil of the breech-block sets the fly-wheel inmotion and effects the return of the breech-block to the breech, asset forth.

, 7 In an automatic machine or battery gun` of the kind described, the combination of a reciprocating breech-block arranged to slide from and toward the breech and in line with the barrel*1 ahannner, sear, and firing-pin carried by the breech-block, a stop or device attached to the frame of the gun and extending into the path of movement of the hammer for cooking the same on the backward movement of the breech-block, and a ily-wheel and crank or equivalent connected to the breech-block for causing the return of 'the same to the breech after a recoil, as set forth. l

8. In an automatic machine-gun of, the kind described, the combination of a slidingbreechblock, a hammer; and scar carried thereby, a pin or stop in the path of movement of the. hammer for cooking the sarneon the backward movement of the breech-block, and the adjust-able cam N, mounted 011 the stationary frame of the gun in the path of the sear, as and for the purpose set forth.

9. In a machine-gun, the combination, with a sliding barrel and a sliding breech-block that is free to be moved away from the breechby the explosive. force of a discharge, of the I toggle-arms B,connected with the barrel, and

b1ock,and the adjustable arm A, secured to the stationary frame and extending into the path of movement of the lever B3, in such manner that as the barrel is moved it is automatically` secured to the breech-block by the engagement ofthe lever therewith, or released from the same by the action of the arm A* upon thele-f.

ver, as and for the purpose set forth.

11. In an automatic machine-gun, the com` .bination, with a sliding barrel and breechblock, ofthe lever B, pivoted to the barrel, the rod B,arranged to slide in ways or guides in the frame between the breech-block and one end of the lever B5, and the stop A5,seeured to the stationary frame in the path of movement of the other end of the leverras and foi` the purpose specified. ,12. In an automatic machine-gun, theI combination, lwith the sliding barrel, thev breechblock, and the lever Bpivoted to the barrel, of means for changing t-he leverage o r action of lever B5, consisting of the rod B and stop Aor shoulder A5 in the path of movement of the arms of -said lever, and having the parts that come in contact with the lever rounded, substantially as shown and described.

13. In an automatic machine-gun, the combination ofthe sliding barrel,the breech-block, the crank and iiy-wheel or its equivalent 'connected with the breech-block, the lever B5, pivoted to the barrel, the stop A5 in the path of said lever, and fixed to the frame of the gun, and the rod B, arranged to slide in ways or guides between the breech-block and the lever B5, as and for the purpose set forth.

14. In an automatic machine-gun, the combination, with a sliding barreLoftheIeVerG, pivoted thereto, and arranged to form part of thc seat for the cartridge when inserted inthe lbarrel, ,and a iixed stop, G, in the path of movement of lever Q2, whereby the same is operated by impingement with the stbp for starting the shell or cartridge from the barrel, all as set forth.

15. In a machi ne-gun, the combination, with a sliding barrel and reciprocating 'breechblock, of two shell-extracting levers, one carried by the breech-block, the other pivoted to the barrel, and both adapted to enga-ge with the rim of a shell in the breech, a fixed stop in the path of the lever pivoted tothe barrel, by encountering which stop on the movement of the barrel thelever pivotedto the barrel is caused to start the shell, and a stop in 'the path of 'the lever carried by the breech-block for causing said lever at agivcn point in its path of movement to release the shell, as set fort-h.

16. In' an automatic machine-gun, the combination, with a stationary frame and a sliding barrel and breech-block, of the extractorlever G, pivoted to the breech-block, and provided with inclined projections G", the stationary projections A", and the fingers AT on the frame A, ,for arresting the movement of the for causing its return to the breech after a recoil, a cartridge-feed wheel and' a cartridgedelivery Wheel, gearing for imparting an in,

the reciprocating breech-block, and a hooked rod or lever connected to the breechblock, and adapted to engage with the cartridges in the feed-wheel and transfer the same to the delivery-wheel, as Aset forth.

bination, with a longitudinally-movable barrel, a reciprocating breech-.block arranged to slide in line with the barrel, and a ily-wheel and crank or equivalent connected to the breech-block, of a ,cartridge-feed wheel in gear with the breech block, whereby it is intermittently rotatedV by the movement of the-breeehb1oek, a .cartridge-delivery wheel geared with-the feed-wheel, and mechanism, substantially as described, for transferring the cartridges from the feed to the deli-very wheel, the said mechanism being connected with and operated by the reciprocating' breech-block, as set forth. f r

20. Ina machine-gun, the combination of `a barrel, a sliding-breech-block, a cartridgefeed wheel land a delivery-Wheel, a device connected with the sliding breech-block 'for transferring the cartridges from the feedrotating the feed and delivery wheels intermittently and-in unison with the movement of the breeehblock, set forth. j

.21. In a machinegun, the combination, with the barrel, the sliding breech-block, and a -wheel for delivering the cartridges into proper position to be forced into the barrel by the breech-block, of projections C5 on the breech-block having inclined faces 0 Cl, and the rows of teeth or ways QW on the deliverywheel, arranged in such manner that the said wheel will be intermittently rotated by the reciprocation of the breech-block and action of the projection (E5-upon the teeth QO, 'as described.

wheel and crank connected to the breech-block as and for the purposeshell-when drawn'back by the extractoiyall termittent rotary movement to the same' from 19.- Inan automatic machine-gun, the comwheel to the delivery-wheel, and means for 22. In a `machine or battery gun, the combination, with the barrel, the sliding vbreechblock, a delivery-wheel, and afeed-wheel, of an extractor for withdrawing the shells from the barrel, and an extractor -for transferring the cartridges from the feed to the delivery wheel', both of said extractors being connected with the breech-block and arranged for simultaneous operation, all substantially as set forth.

23. In a machine-gun, the combination, with the barrel, the sliding breech-block, the delivery-wheel, and the feedwheel, of the Y Y bracket K, extending from the breech-block,

and the hooked lever K', pivotedthereto and adapted to engage with and transfer the cartridges from the feed to the delivery wheel,

n all as specified.

24. In a machine-gun, as a means of regulating the number of shots fired in a given time, the combination, with the sliding barrel, of a device such as an adjustable dashpot andpiston, one member of which is fixed, the other connected with and moved by the barrel, whereby the movement of the barrel is more or less related, as set forth.

25. In a machine or battery gun, as a means of regulating the number of shots redin a given time, the combination, with the -sliding barrel, ot` a perforated cylinder and a piston sliding therein, the cylinder and piston being concentric with the barrel, and secured, re-

intervals between the recoil of the barrel and the time when it reaches its firing position may be varied or controlled, all as set forth.

26. In an automatic machine-gun, the combination, with the breech-block having a recessed cross-head, C', the firing-pin, and hammer, of the shaft O, trigger-arm l), arm O', extending' from shaft O, and pin or stud O2 on the end of arm O', adapted to enter the recess in cross-head O', and thereby lock the saine and prevent the discharge of the gun before the triggerxP is pulled.

27. In a machneor battery gun of the kind described, the` combination, with the sliding breech-block and wheel containing the cartridges, of a swing-ing plate, R, and spring F,

acting upon the same, the said plate being adapted to cover the exposed cartridge and prevent'the displacement of the same, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto sign ed my name in the presence of two subscribing Witnesses.

MAXIM.

Both 

